Couple's Side by Side Earthbag Tiny House & Shed Home - under $15k!

Summary

This video shares the journey of living in a tiny, off-grid home, highlighting the cost-effective approach to construction and utilities. The speakers describe how they built their homes with minimal budgets—ranging from $600 to $7,000—using repurposed materials and alternative building techniques. They emphasize the satisfaction of living without modern luxuries, the importance of self-sufficiency, and the freedom from the high-paced, expensive lifestyle of urban living. Through intentional choices, they find joy in simplicity, minimalism, and the ability to live on a smaller budget with more free time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The initial cost of building the first tiny house was just $600 using a gas dome structure, proving that building a tiny house can be affordable.
• 😀 The second tiny house, made with burlap sandbags, cost $2,400, highlighting how using alternative materials can still keep costs low.
• 😀 The total cost of building and owning a tiny house, including land, was around $7,000, making it a cost-effective long-term living solution.
• 😀 Utilities are kept minimal, with filtered water costing only $3 per week, solar power for electricity, and propane usage at around $40 per year.
• 😀 Local 'oasis stations' provide easy access to water refills, often near laundromats, offering a convenient solution for water needs.
• 😀 A Tough Shed option with on-site labor was more expensive, but some people value convenience and are willing to pay more for that service.
• 😀 The speaker feels the money spent on their tiny house lifestyle goes a long way, providing a much more fulfilling and affordable living experience compared to renting in the city.
• 😀 Downsizing and living off-grid has provided the speaker with more free time and a better quality of life by reducing the need to work full-time and paying less rent.
• 😀 The speaker finds joy in living without modern luxuries like a fridge, water heater, or flushing toilet, realizing that they are happier without these conveniences.
• 😀 The shift from a high-paced city life to a more intentional and mindful off-grid lifestyle has made the speaker feel more present and content.
• 😀 The video encourages others to embrace a minimalist, sustainable lifestyle, showing that it's possible to live happily with fewer modern conveniences.

Q & A

What was the budget for the first dome home, and why was it considered cheap?

The budget for the first dome home was about $600, and it was considered cheap because the builder didn't have to bust it or use expensive materials, making it an affordable project despite the hard work involved.

What was the total cost of the speaker’s second house, and what materials were used?

The total cost of the speaker’s second house was around $2,400, and burlap sandbags were used instead of plastic, which was about five times more expensive. The house had a real roof, pond liner, and gravel on top, bringing the total to approximately $7,000.

What are the main utility costs for the speaker’s off-grid living situation?

The main utility costs are filtered water, which costs about $3 a week, and propane, which costs about $40 a year. The speaker is also on solar power, which reduces additional energy costs.

What are 'oasis stations,' and how do they contribute to the speaker’s lifestyle?

Oasis stations are locations where people can refill water jugs, and they are conveniently located near laundromats. These stations contribute to the speaker's off-grid lifestyle by providing an easy and inexpensive way to get filtered water.

How did the speaker’s approach to building their home differ from Ron’s?

The speaker opted for a more expensive, convenient approach by purchasing a pre-built shed for $6,000, which included the cost of labor for on-site construction. In contrast, Ron chose a cheaper, more labor-intensive approach.

What was the total cost of the speaker’s home and land, and how did they keep costs low?

The total cost of the speaker’s home and land was around $7,000 to $8,000. They kept costs low by doing a lot of the work themselves, such as drywall, insulation, and flooring, with help from their dad, who provided repurposed materials.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of transparency in discussing the costs of building a tiny home?

The speaker believes it is important to be transparent about the costs of building a tiny home to provide realistic expectations for others considering a similar lifestyle and to show that financial independence is possible even with modest investments.

How does living in a tiny home benefit the speaker compared to living in a city?

Living in a tiny home benefits the speaker by allowing more free time, reducing the need to work long hours, and cutting down on rent. The speaker finds this lifestyle more fulfilling and less stressful compared to a busy city life.

How does the speaker view their lifestyle in terms of time management and material possessions?

The speaker values being more intentional with their time and mindful of their resources. They find that living without luxuries such as a fridge or water heater makes them more present and connected to their environment, unlike when they lived in a high-paced city life.

What are some of the sacrifices the speaker is willing to make in exchange for a simpler life?

The speaker is willing to sacrifice modern luxuries such as hot showers, a fridge, and a flushing toilet in order to live a simpler, more fulfilling life. They feel happier and more content without these comforts, as the trade-off is a slower-paced, stress-free existence.